Chemical Plant and System Operators pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $41,830 a year or less, while the top 10% make $100,300 or more. The middle half of chemical plant and system operators in Washington earn between $44,940 and $84,810.
- $42K10th
- $45K25th
- $67KMedian
- $85K75th
- $100K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $69,890 | $5,824 | $33.60 |
| Median | $66,640 | $5,553 | $32.04 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $44,940 | $3,745 | $21.61 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $84,810 | $7,068 | $40.77 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Chemical Plant and System Operators pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Chemical plant and system operators in Washington earn 13% less than the U.S. average ($79,970). At the median the gap is -15% against the U.S. median of $78,120.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $69,890 | $66,640 | $41,830 | $100,300 | 130 |
| United States | $79,970 | $78,120 | $48,400 | $111,930 | 16,610 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $69,890, a single filer in Washington takes home about $54,901 a year, or $4,575 a month and $2,112 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $55,686 | $4,640 |
| Working in DC | $54,901 | $4,575 |
| Working in MD | $54,889 | $4,574 |
| Working in VA | $54,793 | $4,566 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for chemical plant and system operators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $69,890 buys what about $64,188 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.9 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 8.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$68,680
- Richmond, VA$72,950
- Philadelphia, PA$82,270
- Pittsburgh, PA$70,210
- Greensboro, NC$64,880
- New York, NY$86,190
Highest-paying cities for chemical plant and system operators
Beaumont, TX pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($107,760).
- Beaumont, TX$107,760
- San Francisco, CA$103,110
- Baton Rouge, LA$99,170
- Houston, TX$99,020
- Lake Charles, LA$98,990
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in Washington: questions
How much do chemical plant and system operators make an hour in Washington?
$33.60 an hour on average, and $32.04 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level chemical plant and system operators salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $41,830 a year and the 25th percentile is $44,940, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the chemical plant and system operators take-home pay in Washington?
About $54,901 a year ($4,575 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $69,890.
Do chemical plant and system operators earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 13% less than the U.S. average for this job ($79,970).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 51-8091; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.39, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.39).
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.